National Library | Recoleta

It was created in 1811, after the Revolution, by decision of the National Government. It had four venues in the historic core around the Cabildo and the “Manzana de las Luces” before standing where it does nowadays, former place of the Unzue Palace (also former residence of ex-president Juan Domingo Perón). The target was a dynamic and modern space that harmonized with the features of the place. The architects Bullrich, Gazzarriaga and Testa won the bid in1962; they projected a work that can be labeled as Structuralist.
It is elevated on four pillars, and has nine floors (six above ground level and three below it); they have inside patios and terraces that let fresh air in. The view of the city from the top floors is unique.
The library itself and the newspaper library (the most important one in Latin America) keeps 2.000.000 units. There is a room called “Sala del Tesoro” (Hall of Treasure), which keeps, among its 11000 units, originals from the XVIth and XVIIth centuries. One of them is invaluable: a page from the Gutenberg Bible, the very first book to be printed.